Ethics

Worf has an accident that leads to paralysis and Dr Crusher faces an ethical dilemma.

This is an interesting but slightly melodramatic episode that lives up to its title.

The plot is a very straightforward medical drama that addresses a number of points such as experimental treatment, and assisted suicide. It also attempts to create moments of suspense, but this largely fails due to the level of the stakes involved.

When it addresses the issues at the heart of the story it is at its most effective. The conflict between Dr Crusher and Dr Russell is the strongest point for me. Gates McFadden gives one of her best performances with a very intriguing subject.

The parallel conflict between Worf and Riker is also pretty good, but a lot more aggressively stated. Jonathan Frakes puts his heart into the argument, but the writing associated with Riker's stance on the subject is a bit preachy at times.

Michael Dorn does a great job portraying Worf as you would expect the character to react in this circumstance. His interactions with everyone are excellent. He is such a cool character.

As ever Captain Picard puts his ultimate philosophical stamp on both arguments and Patrick Stewart does it with his usual level of class.

It ends with an attempt at creating suspense that is fairly well made, but falls flat because we obviously know what the outcome will be and even how we might get there due to a hint given earlier.

well, if you're going to do an episode on assisted suicide, Worf's the right character; to a Klingon, paralysis is a death sentence, and those guys do not abide disgrace.

As written, this is standard morality stuff. Debate rages between Riker and Work, Riker and Picard, Picard and everybody, all the while a cavalier scientist is onboard with a risky untested procedure.

It's the acting from almost everyone that makes this work as well as it does. Frakes' pleas are heartfelt, McFadden's indignation comes from a place of caring for her patient, and Stewart knows how to play up the grand moralizing.

It's nice to see an emphasis on the crew as family, but it also feels like these characters are convenient topical mouthpieces.

6/10

What could have been a great episode was ruined by one thing....Dr. Beverly Crusher. She was right for not allowing Worfs suicide but her actions regarding an experimental medical procedure were just way over the top. Considering that Worf was not going to ever give in and accept his paralysis, how could she take the position she did? Even Picard was on board. And while her lashing of the visiting doctors actions at the end were likely warranted, her arrogant holier than thou attitude throughout the episode were ridiculous. How many times has she tried crazy ideas to save someone in other episodes? I'd say very many.

In the original Star Trek series the Klingons were presented as a just a simple race who just liked to fight. But with TNG and the addition of Michael Dorn as Worf, a crewman on the Enterprise we got a far fuller picture of Klingon values.

Dorn is injured and he is looking at a possible life of paralysis. Dr. Crusher says in time he can regain 60% of his mobility. But that's not good enough, a Klingon is whole or he's nothing in his culture.

Time for a consultant and a futuristic neurologist in Caroline Kava is called in. Gates McFadden and her have some professional and personal differences that are part of the story.

The rest is Worf trying to decide what to do and not having other Klingons around he's not given much support.

These are the moments that counselor Troi is called in. Every time I watch Marina Sirtis I wish our school guidance counselors were like her.

Maybe one of the worst episodes. The writers couldn't decide whether the story should be about the right to choose one's death or experimental medicine and taking risks to preserve life. In typical poorly conceived fashion, the writers chose to push both agendas, then punish the researcher who made life possible. Another bad episode straight of the the worst Hollywood hack's Powerbook.